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en-usCopyright 2015 AOL Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/the-perfect-ten-most-significant-mmo-stories-of-2011/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/the-perfect-ten-most-significant-mmo-stories-of-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/the-perfect-ten-most-significant-mmo-stories-of-2011/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
2011 was an odd duck of a year for MMO news. A huge chunk of the year felt devoid of significant releases, but that was mitigated somewhat by the major launches of RIFT and Star Wars: The Old Republic. Titles got shoved back to 2012 or beyond, MMOs that we thought never would go free-to-play did, and the industry continually surprised us with revelations, ideas, and controversy.

So in my last Perfect Ten of 2011, I put together the 10 most significant MMO stories of the year. Ten seems like an awfully small number for such a great big field, so I had the rest of the staff members chime in with their nominations just to make sure I wasn't too off-base with any of these.

It was a whopper of a year, and Massively was there for all of it -- the ups, the downs, the queues, and the QQs. It's time to wrap it up with a pretty bow and dedicate it to the history museum!

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20112012aionataribiowareccpccp-gameschampions-onlinecity-of-heroescrypticcryptic-studiosdaocdark-age-of-camelotdc-universe-onlinedcuoeve-onlineeverquesteverquest-iif2pfallen-earthfeaturedfree-to-playglobal-agendajagexkung-fu-pandaleague-of-legendslistlistslucasartsmists-of-pandariamonoclegatemythicpandaperfect-tenperfect-worldriftrunescapesoesonysony-hacksony-online-entertainmentstar-trek-onlinestar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicswgswtorthe-agencythe-perfect-tentriontrion-worldswarhammer-onlineworld-of-darknessworld-of-warcraftwrath-of-heroesThu, 29 Dec 2011 14:00:00 -0500319|20127923http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/the-mmo-report-surprisingly-commando-free-edition/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
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It's the end of the week, and you know what that means! Not only do we get to ramp up to enjoy a weekend full of gaming, but it's also time for the latest edition of The MMO Report. This week Casey takes a moment to look at World of Warcraft's April Fools' Day prank and tackles the discussion of DPS players paying tanks to tag along so they can get into instance groups faster. On a more somber note, Casey notes the layoffs at Sony Online Entertainment, which resulted in the shuttering of three studios and cancellation of The Agency; he also mentions Square-Enix's games coming back online after the recent tsunami in Japan. Also noted is the upcoming Mortal Online: Dawn expansion, which should offer even more gritty, naked PvP fun for all.

From there, it's all silliness in Uncle Casey's Mailbag -- complete with some RIFT vs. WoW snaps, yet another edition of strange Schreiner shoops, and more silliness. We're also treated to a quick aside that reveals Casey has awesome taste in music -- much like our own. As always, you can check out this week's episode of The MMO Report tucked behind the break for your sanitary protection or over on the G4TV site every Thursday.

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april-fools-2011blizzard-entertainmentcasey-schreinerdawnff11ff14final-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivhumorlayoffsmortal-onlinequeue-jumpingsoesony-online-entertainmentsquare-enixtank-pimpingthe-agencythe-mmo-reportvideoworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 08 Apr 2011 15:00:00 -0400319|19907505http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/sony-online-entertainment-confirms-layoffs-studio-closings/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/sony-online-entertainment-confirms-layoffs-studio-closings/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/sony-online-entertainment-confirms-layoffs-studio-closings/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsSony Online Entertainment has confirmed the rumors that have been circulating since last night in a press release. The company is closing several offices, laying off staff, and discontinuing production of The Agency:

"As part of a strategic decision to reduce costs and streamline its global workforce, SOE announced today that it will eliminate 205 positions and close its Denver, Seattle and Tucson studios. As part of this restructuring, SOE is discontinuing production of The Agency so it can focus development resources on delivering two new MMOs based on its renowned PlanetSide and EverQuest properties, while also maintaining its current portfolio of online games. All possible steps are being taken to ensure team members affected by the transition are treated with appropriate concern.

"This strategic decision will have no impact on SOE's current portfolio of live games; additionally SOE will transition development efforts for the Denver and Tucson studios' suite of products to its San Diego headquarters. This strategic alignment of development resources better positions SOE to remain a global leader in online gaming and deliver on its promise of creating entertaining games for players of all ages, and servicing the 20 million players that visited SOE servers in just the past year."

Massively wishes the best of luck to all those affected by this situation.

[Update: Good news for fans of specific SOE games. SOE's John Smedley has told Planetside-Universe.com that "PlanetSide Next is getting more resources and will be out a little later in the year, but [SOE is] pulling out all the stops to make it great." An official post on the Vanguard forums notes that "there are no plans to sunset the world of Telon so long as its citizens continue to dwell in such sustainable numbers." Likewise, EverQuestplayers have been told that"EverQuest is not going anywhere." We'll keep you updated as we hear more.]

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breakinglayoffssoesonySony-Online-Entertainmentsony-online-entertainment-seattlethe-agencyThu, 31 Mar 2011 14:30:00 -0400319|19899031http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/rumor-soe-to-close-the-agency-studio/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
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Rumors have been flying since yesterday afternoon that it's the end of the line for The Agency's studio. George Broussard, one of the minds behind the Duke Nukem games, made several announcements on Twitter last night that the studio will be closing today:

To be more clear, the layoffs may be SOE wide and not just limited to Seattle. So, Austin, San Diego, etc...

SOE Seattle and other studios (Denver is rumored) will be closed tomorrow. Good luck to all impacted.

In addition, Kotaku is reporting that these layoffs could affect nearly one-third of SOE's total staff. Sony Online Entertainment has not released any statement or announcement to confirm this, so it's uncertain whether Broussard has inside information or is merely getting a jump on April Fool's Day. We'll be watching for official word back from SOE, so keep your eye on Massively for more.

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george-broussardlayoffsrumorsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentsony-online-entertainment-seattlethe-agencyThu, 31 Mar 2011 09:00:00 -0400319|19898342http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/17/soes-smedley-says-mmo-copycats-incoming-drops-hints-on-planets/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
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Big things are happening at SOE these days, and whether you're talking about the newly minted DC Universe Online or the company's PlanetSide followup and spy-centric The Agency, it's an exciting time to be a fan. Eurogamer brings us a bit of info regarding potential release windows for both PlanetSide Next and The Agency, and the former looks to be gracing our desktops much sooner than we expected given the general lack of information to date.

"We're looking at late first quarter, early second quarter [2011]," says SOE head honcho John Smedley in regard to the long-awaited PlanetSide sequel. Players will have to wait a bit longer to get their espionage fix, as The Agency is still slated to arrive "late this year."

Why so long? It boils down to SOE's desire to differentiate itself from the competition. "There's some stuff coming out in the next two or three months, MMO-wise, and a lot of it is generic copycats of other games," Smedley tells Eurogamer. He also talks a bit about the impending arrival of Free Realms on the Playstation 3, intimating that the free-to-play title will spread its console wings in early February.

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eurogamerf2pfree-realmsfree-to-playinterviewjohn-smedleyplanetsideplanetside-2planetside-nextrelease-datesrelease-windowssci-fishootersoeSony-Online-Entertainmentthe-agencyMon, 17 Jan 2011 15:00:00 -0500319|19803944http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/07/soes-the-agency-delayed-until-late-2011/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
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Whatever happened to The Agency? Inquiring minds want to know, and since Sony Online Entertainment's internal memos haven't been given the WikiLeaks treatment, we'll have to take company president John Smedley at his word. "There was a moment in time in our company where we looked at our own stuff with a clear eye and saw we have to do better," Smedley told Kotaku in a recent interview. Translation: it ain't ready 'til it's ready.

While the spy MMO's launch would seem to be quite a ways off, fans should be glad to hear that it hasn't been shelved entirely. We haven't seen hide nor hair of the title since E3 2010, but hopefully the extra time will serve to boost the game's stock in the same vein as SOE's other upcoming MMO. DC Universe, originally scheduled to launch last November, has apparently benefited from the extra test cycles if the scuttlebutt surrounding yesterday's NDA-drop is to be believed.

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delaysjohn-smedleyjoystiqkotakushootersoesoe-seattleSony-Online-Entertainmentspyspy-mmothe-agencyTue, 07 Dec 2010 16:00:00 -0500319|19750382http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/soe-layoffs-detailed-eqii-and-vanguard-affected/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
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Layoffs in any industry are never pleasant, and in a smallish community like that of the professional game developer, they can be even more trying. As we reported yesterday, Sony Online Entertainment recently announced the decision to serve 35 employees with their walking papers, and speculation has run rampant in the absence of official information.

Two of the developers now looking for work checked in on the EQ2Flames forum to confirm the news and thank the community for their support. SOE's big-budget fantasy titles look to be the most affected by the moves. EverQuest II loses Brett "Timetravelling" Scheinert, responsible for various raid designs on the Sentinel's Fate expansion. Rumored Vanguard losses include William "Wigin" Bidermann and Jason "Ikik" Weimann, as well as Joel "Raijinn" Sasaki, the game's community manager.

Finally, Steve "Saavedra" Kramer, a former EQII designer and most recently working on The Agency, was also let go. SOE also terminated two as-yet unnamed marketing employees.

[Update #2: While we now have confirmation that Jason "Ikik" Weimann was not among those let go (as originally rumored), we're still attempting to clarify the rumored departure of the other Vanguard dev. Joel "Raijinn" Sasaki's departure has been confirmed as well. We'll update the post as soon as we receive additional info.]

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breakingEQ2EQIIEverQuest-2everquest-iilayoffsmmo-industryrumorrumorssoeSony-Online-Entertainmentthe-agencyvanguardFri, 16 Jul 2010 12:00:00 -0400319|19557189http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/15/soe-suffers-cutbacks-as-35-employees-are-laid-off/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
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Four percent doesn't sound like a lot, but when it comes to Sony Online Entertainment, it represents nearly three dozen employees who no longer have a job. G4 reports that the company has let 35 people go from its full-time workforce in an effort to "better align the company's resources against areas of growth that meet consumer demand in today's online market as well as improve operational efficiency."

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breakingclone-wars-adventurescutbackscwadc-universe-onlinedcuofree-realmsg4laid-offlay-offspink-slipssoesonysony-online-entertainmentthe-agencyThu, 15 Jul 2010 17:30:00 -0400319|19556294http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/02/this-week-on-the-mmo-report/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
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You may remember last week's MMO Report being part one of an epic two-part episode. Crazily enough, this week brings us part two, and it's back to the Los Angeles convention center for more of Casey Schreiner and his E3 interview shenanigans.

"You pick up that controller or that keyboard and you're literally punching dudes in the face; you're not waiting to take a turn. This isn't an MMO that's dressed up or sped up, it's one that's on crack. It is action all the time," Cao says, when asked how the game compares to previous superhero MMOs.

The 2010 edition of the gaming nirvana known as E3 has come and gone, and Massively was there to bring you three days of exclusives, firsts, and hands-on impressions for all your favorite MMORPG titles, studios, and developers. This year's Expo saw plenty of news and announcements regarding highly anticipated games, as well as plenty of information on assorted titles large and small.

We thought it best to collate our coverage into a complete and concise roundup post for your viewing pleasure, so read along after the cut to make sure you didn't miss anything. You can also check out all of our E3 galleries along the way.

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battlestar-galacticabiowareblack-prophecyClone-Wars-Adventuresdc-universe-onlinedragon-neste3-2010en-masseen-masse-entertainmentfeaturedfinal-fantasy-xivforsaken-worldglobal-agendajumpgate-evolutionLEGO-Universelord-of-the-rings-onlinemassively-event-coveragemassively-hands-onmassively-interviewsmight-and-magicmmo-industryNeed-for-Speednew-titlesnexonrift-planes-of-telararoundupsoestar-wars-the-old-republicswordsman-onlinetaikodomteratera-onlinethe-agencyvindictuswar40kwarhammer-40kMon, 21 Jun 2010 12:30:00 -0400319|19521276http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/18/the-daily-grind-whats-your-e3-highlight/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
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Whew! This past week has been a rollercoaster of craziness, a carousel of attractions and a mirror maze of sights from E3. We certainly hope you've enjoyed the coverage here at Massively, from interviews to exclusive peeks to mind-snapping trailers.

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battlestar-galactica-onlineblue-ribboncinematicdark-millennium-onlinedc-universe-onlinedcuoe3e3-2010e3-highlightsfinal-fantasy-xivforsaken-worldlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroopinionstar-wars-the-old-republicsuper-hero-squad-onlineswordsman-onlinetaikodomtdgterathe-agencythe-daily-grindtortrailerWarhammer-40KzentiaFri, 18 Jun 2010 08:00:00 -0400319|19521336http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/e3-2010-the-agency-blows-up-in-our-faces-and-its-a-good-thi/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/e3-2010-the-agency-blows-up-in-our-faces-and-its-a-good-thi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/e3-2010-the-agency-blows-up-in-our-faces-and-its-a-good-thi/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsAfter seeing the new trailer yesterday for SOE's The Agency, we thought nothing could get us more revved up about this upcoming title. We were wrong. DEAD wrong. Ahem. Sorry.

For aspiring Mr. and Ms. Kiss-Kiss-Bang-Bangs out there, The Agency is promising all of the hot, high-tech spy action that you can handle. Step into the shoes of James Bond, Jason Bourne, Inspector Gadget or Maxwell Smart, grab your favorite weapon, and throw yourself into one of many exciting locales where you and other players will compete for all the secrets and bragging rights.

At E3, Massively got the chance to sit down with The Agency's Senior Producer Josh Hackney and check in on how this title is progressing. Hit the jump to read about specialized roles, PvP and why mindlessly spraying hot lead in all directions is completely passé.

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agencye3e3-2010featuredinspector-gadgetjames-bondjason-bournejosh-hackneykiss-kiss-bang-bangmaxwell-smartoracle-visionreconsnipersniper-riflesoeSony-Online-Entertainmentthe-agencyWed, 16 Jun 2010 20:00:00 -0400319|19519408http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/sony-online-entertainment-reveals-the-agency-trailer/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
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Have you been passing the time playing Covert Ops while you wait for Sony Online Entertainment to give us more news about The Agency? If you remember, when they announced their Facebook game, they promised that the full-blown MMO is still coming.

They held true to their promise. Massively will be speaking one-on-one with SOE tomorrow, but in the meantime, we have a shiny new trailer to show off. Crouching on buildings sniper-style, exchanging a few hundred rounds of ammo in a fancy hotel lobby, and a firefight as you run through the city streets -- what more could you want?

Follow along after the jump for the new trailer, and don't forget to keep an eye on Massively for our talk with the Sony Online Entertainment team at E3.

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E3-2010pvpSOESony-Online-Entertainmentthe-agencythe-agency-trailerTue, 15 Jun 2010 09:00:00 -0400319|19516674http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/soe-unveils-the-agency-facebook-game-announces-the-agency-will/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
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Hey, remember that time Sony Online Entertainmenttrademarked "The Agency Covert Ops" and we all wondered why? Now we know. It turns out that you're going to be able to play The Agency while you wait for The Agency to launch.

No, really. Covert Ops, the newest Facebook app from Sony Online Entertainment, serves as a tie-in to the upcoming secret agent MMO The Agency. Don't dismiss this as another boring mafia-style Facebook grind until you check it out, because our friends at Mashable scored an interview with the developers and Covert Ops goes way beyond "ask everyone on your friends list for two nails and a board." Customization is king here right from the start, offering a unique look from the tattoos on your character to their overall living space.

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breakingcovert-opscovert-ops-facebookfacebookFacebook gamesFacebookGamesSOEsony-online-entertainmentthe-agencythe-agency-covert-opsTue, 04 May 2010 20:00:00 -0400319|19464766http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/08/this-week-on-the-mmo-report/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
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This week's edition of the MMO Report hits the highlights of a busy week around the MMOsphere, and host Casey Schreiner is in fine form, particularly when he gives a shout out to Massively and our sister site WoW.com.

After those two show-stopping highlights, you'll find news and commentary on Free Realms' first birthday bash, tidbits about Sony'sThe Agency, race and clan information for Square-Enix's forthcoming Final Fantasy XIV, and a dose of reader humor courtesy of Uncle Casey's Mailbag. Oh and don't forget the mention of NCSoft'sCity of Heroes II (or is it 2)?

Check out this week's MMO Report after the jump, or visit our archive and our friends at G4TV.

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Normally we've got no problem speculating on rumors here at Massively. It's a fun way to pass the days until a beta really does begin or a release date actually is announced. Except, sometimes, it gets taken too far.

Rumors of SOE'sThe Agency receiving a December 31st release date have been floating into our inbox lately. Of course, that doesn't make any sense, because six days after Christmas (and one day before New Year's Day) is a horrible time to launch any game, especially one that requires all-hands-on-deck like an MMO. Additionally, any time a retailer lists a game at a default price on the first or last day of the month? That's a big shot in the dark.

The fact of the matter is nobody knows the release date for The Agency, even though everyone wishes they did. We're fairly sure that even the development team doesn't have a clear picture of that right now. Most videogames have a moving "release window" and this one is no different from the rest. When we do have a solid information expect to hear all about it right here on Massively.

For fans of Sony Online Entertainment's stable of MMO titles, the time has come once again to start making plans for Fan Faire. It looks like we'll all be heading back to Bally's Hotel in Las Vegas from August 5-8 for a weekend chock-full of all manner of crazy gaming fun with MMO friends.

This year, they're offering everything from day passes at $35 on up to a Platinum badge which -- for $135 -- will net you access to all events, plus an additional in-game item, a special swag bag boasting more than just regular Fan Faire goodies, access to a VIP lounge, and even private VIP events. Add to that the room discounts starting at $65 a night for a swanky hotel right on the main Vegas strip, and this could well be a great vacation that just happens to include the awesome fun of this year's SOE Fan Faire.

For now, there's no details on the schedule of events, but we wouldn't be surprised to see Alan "Brenlo" Crosby wedging people into t-shirts three sizes too small, as well as an appearance by of one of our favorite Dwarves. If previous years are any indication, this is a should-not-miss event for any serious SOE fan.

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breakingdc-universe-onlinedcuoeqeq2eqiieqoaeverquesteverquest-2everquest-iieverquest-online-adventuresfan-fairefan-faire-2010las-vegaspssoesony-online-entertainmentthe-agencyvanguardvegasvgThu, 04 Mar 2010 17:30:00 -0500319|19383765http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/soe-trademarks-the-agency-covert-ops/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
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In the world of videogames, trademarks can mean just about anything. So when Sony Online Entertainment filed for the trademark to The Agency Covert Ops it's no surprise that rumors of a name change were floating around, especially since we haven't seen hide nor hair of The Agency for some time now.

We contacted SOE for a statement. Here's their response: "We are always trying to plan ahead for our titles in development and at times that means acquiring TM's or URL's that we feel we may want to own in the future. At this point SOE has made no official announcement regarding this Covert Ops TM and any information in the marketplace about it is premature."

What could this mean? Well, it could be a name change, but SOE has several studios from Seattle to L.A. down into Tucson and Austin, too. So, while it's very possible that Covert Ops could be a name change, our bet would be on either a wholly different game or potentially a future expansion. That's just our guess, of course. And there's always the possibility we may never know.

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soesoe-austinsoe-los-angelessoe-seattlesoe-tucsonsony-online-entertainmentthe-agencythe-agency-covert-opsWed, 24 Feb 2010 10:00:00 -0500319|19370073http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/18/redefining-mmos-the-shooter-invasion/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/18/redefining-mmos-the-shooter-invasion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/18/redefining-mmos-the-shooter-invasion/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
The MMO industry is always changing, and if we're going to stay ahead of the curve, we need to re-evaluate some of our views and ingrained notions from time to time. The Redefining MMOs series at Massively is our look at the state of massively multiplayer online games as it is today, and where we see it going. This week we're going to look at how shooters have invaded the MMO space, give you a run-down of some promising MMO shooters on the horizon, and finally tackle the question of whether or not they should be covered here at Massively.

Something we're seeing more and more is a blurring of the lines between formerly distinct game genres -- this is especially true of shooters and MMOs. There are a number of shooters on the horizon that fit the bill as MMOs (although not RPGs), but such games are a radical departure from the DikuMUD pedigree shared by most MMORPG titles we cover at Massively. These shooter-MMO hybrids may have quests, levels, and classes, but they cast few illusions about being true RPGs. They're shooters through and through, but have persistent settings or are massively multiplayer -- traits which catch our attention.

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all-points-bulletinconsolescrimedust-514featuredfirst-person-shooterfpsgame-mechanicsglobal-agendahuxleymagmmo-industrymmofpsopinionplanetsidepvpredefining-mmossci-fishootersthe-agencythird-person-shooterFri, 18 Sep 2009 16:00:00 -0400319|19165767http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/16/gen-con-2009-mmos-in-the-e-gaming-area/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/16/gen-con-2009-mmos-in-the-e-gaming-area/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/16/gen-con-2009-mmos-in-the-e-gaming-area/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
Massively was at Gen Con 2009 yesterday in Indianapolis, Indiana, and while most of the (gigantic) convention was involved with more traditional types of gaming, from dice and board games to collectible card games and RPGs, MMOs made their own splash in the "e-gaming" area. Sony Online Entertainment probably had the biggest presence -- in among huge posters of Free Realms and Star Wars Galaxies, they had demos running of all of their current games (though we didn't see any previews of DCUO or The Agency running). A costumed model posed for pictures in front of a large Legends of Norrath poster, while over in the CCG area, SOE held tournaments of the game for players.

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champions-onlineconventionsdcuoeventsfansfree-realmsfungalleriesgamesgaminggen-congen-con-2009gen-con-indygen-con-indy-2009legends-of-norrathpen-and-paperrpgsoestar-wars-galaxiesthe-agencySun, 16 Aug 2009 20:00:00 -0400319|19130790http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/soe-seattle-staff-departures-shouldnt-affect-the-agency/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/soe-seattle-staff-departures-shouldnt-affect-the-agency/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/soe-seattle-staff-departures-shouldnt-affect-the-agency/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
In the wake of the recent layoffs at SOE, we're now getting word from Eurogamer that some voluntary departures had happened at the beginning of the month as well. Studio Director and Executive Producer Matt Wilson, Art Director Corey Dangel, and Producer John Smith had all left the Seattle studio to form a new venture called Detonator Games. This Seattle studio is currently producing the upcoming espionage MMO The Agency.

Eurogamer also states that a source "in the Seattle game development community" suggested to them that this means some major changes to The Agency, possibly delaying it beyond its projected 2010 release date. SOE responded to that rumor by saying, "The Agency is not undergoing a reboot of any sorts - that is incorrect. The team in Seattle is still working diligently on this project and we're looking forward to showing you new content in the future."

Whether these departures will affect the production of The Agency or not, we'll just have to wait and see. What we do know for sure is that the game is playable and looks quite good, according to a demo we saw at E3 earlier this year. Best of luck to the SOE Seattle team and to Detonator Games for whatever project they may be developing.

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breakingbreakingnewsdetonator-gameslayoffssoesoe-seattlesony-online-entertainmentthe-agencyFri, 31 Jul 2009 11:00:00 -0400319|19115385http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/fan-faire-extras-on-the-latest-official-soe-podcast/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/fan-faire-extras-on-the-latest-official-soe-podcast/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/fan-faire-extras-on-the-latest-official-soe-podcast/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
If you're reading this post, we will assume that you are probably interested in getting all the goods on this year's SOE Fan Faire. And why wouldn't you with all the announcements? SOE announced expansions for both EverQuest and EverQuest 2, plus lots of incoming goodies for Free Realms and even Star Wars Galaxies -- although your mileage may vary when it comes to zombies in your Star Wars.

Anyhow, the podcast was recorded live at the event, which means you'll be hearing plenty of immediate reactions and thoughts on news and then-current happenings. Sadly, there doesn't seem to be any information regarding The Agency or DC Universe Online, much like at the actual event itself. Nevertheless, anyone interested in the previously mentioned games or live podcasts with jump-on guests will find something to enjoy here.

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blizzardconsolee3global-agendainnovationmmosmod-nation-racerplaystationsonythe-agencyuser-contentworld-of-warcraftwowxboxWed, 10 Jun 2009 14:00:00 -040099|19062738http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/e3-2009-a-complete-roundup-of-massivelys-coverage/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/e3-2009-a-complete-roundup-of-massivelys-coverage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/e3-2009-a-complete-roundup-of-massivelys-coverage/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsElectronic Entertainment Expo 2009 proved to be a significant event for the gaming industry once again, with a fair amount of news and announcements related to MMOs. Massively was there on the ground for E3 this year and we've been putting up breaking announcements, interviews, and hands-on previews throughout.

Given how much info came out of E3 on Massively, here's a roundup of our coverage, day-by-day. Be sure to check out the rest after the jump as there's plenty more content, plus you'll find E3 galleries for these games as you click through. To cap it all off, we've also put together an E3 2009 wrapup video for you at the end of this post. Read on to see where the MMO industry is headed in the next year and beyond!

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all-points-bulletinchampions-onlinedragonica-onlinedungeon-fighter-onlinee3-2009final-fantasy-xivfree-realmsglobal-agendaheroes-of-telarahomejade-dynastyjumpgate-evolutionmassively-event-coveragemassively-hands-onmassively-interviewsmmo-industrymythosnew-titlesperfect-worldperfect-world-age-of-spiritsperfect-world-internationalrohan-blood-feudroundupstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-agencytorchlightMon, 08 Jun 2009 20:00:00 -0400319|19060027http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/06/e3-2009-massivelys-day-4-roundup/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/06/e3-2009-massivelys-day-4-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/06/e3-2009-massivelys-day-4-roundup/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsWait a minute, day 4 of E3 2009? Remedial math skills? E3 was only a three-day event, but our own coverage of Electronic Entertainment Expo 2009 is going to last a bit longer. We've still got a number of interviews and previews lined up for you in the coming days, today included, so we hope you'll keep reading this weekend. In the meantime, here are a few highlights of Massively's coverage of E3 2009 from yesterday: